Minis might be small, but when there are about 50 of them in Dunedin's Octagon - some with locomotive horns bolted to the roof - they make a big noise.
The Minis passed through Dunedin yesterday as part of the Goodbye Pork Pie Mini Charity Run, from Kaitaia to Invercargill, raising funds for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand (LBC).
For event co-organisers Murray and Annie Hemsley, of Ruakaka, it was a family affair. Their four daughters, Naomi McRae, of Auckland, Miriam Tuck of Whangarei, Sarah Hemsley, of Stratford, and Hannah Hemsley, of Auckland, also drove Minis in the 2500km, six-day event.
While Mrs McRae and Mrs Tuck could only participate on the trip as far as Wellington, the rest of the family continued in a bid to raise funds and to support the organisation, which had helped Mrs McRae when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2010.
Yesterday, her sisters said they may, or may not, have been in some Goodbye Pork Pie-type trouble during their journey together.
''The trip has been absolutely incredible,'' Mrs Tuck said.
The family has raised about $10,000 during the run, to be put towards the $135,000 raised by other Mini drivers.
Participant Margaret Hawthorne, of Wellington, got into the spirit of Goodbye Pork Pie by dressing up as Blondini - the lead character in the film.
''I'm a big fan of the movie. I absolutely loved it. The trip's been fantastic. This has been a fantastic experience for me. I've seen so much more of my country than I ever thought I would.''
She decided to take part in the run to pay tribute to a close family member who died of cancer about 10 years ago, and to help others with blood cancers.
LBC communications manager Georgie Hackett was thrilled with the fundraising effort.
''It's absolutely fabulous to see people from around the country get behind this fantastic event and raise money for the six Kiwis diagnosed every day with a blood cancer or related condition.''
The event concluded in Invercargill last night. Mrs McRae and Mrs Tuck flew south to reunite with the Hemsley family and celebrate at the finish line.
